New Stories Jun. 21, 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Supporters of an Oregon initiative to require safe gun storage have shelved the idea for this election cycle. Backers said Wednesday they don’t enough time to collect the more than 88,000 valid signatures necessary to get the item on the November ballot. They had until July 6 to obtain those signatures, but only got the go-ahead to start collecting them on Monday. Supporters say they’ll try to get the Legislature to pass it next year or else target the 2020 election.

Thunderstorms rumbled through Central Oregon yesterday and this morning. There were hundreds of lightning strikes. Several small wildfires were reported last night around Centrao Oregon and they were quickly doused, with the help of heavy rain. The rain also sent mud pouring across the McKenzie Highway west of Sisters, according to KTVZ. The road was closed after opening only two days earlier following cleanup and repairs from a destructive wildfire.

In commemoration of the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of 1855, the Warm Springs tribal government will be closing at 3:00, ahead of the Piumesha Treaty Days celebration powwow and events. June 25, 1855 the treaty between the US government and the tribes and bands of middle Oregon was signed. The signing and ratification of the treaty reserved rights inherent to the tribes and solidified the beginning of our government to government relationship.